In the decades since Arnie first slathered himself in mud to take out an unseen beastie, we've seen numerous Predator sequels, crossovers and whatever Predators was. It's no secret that Fox plans to revive the franchise (again) with a new sequel written and directed by Shane Black called.... The Predator. If you're a bit cautious about the news, then you're not alone: even Black was reticent to accept the gig.
"They called me and I was reluctant," Black tells The Thrillist. "I said, 'Look. You guys at Fox, I mean, I enjoy these movies, but we’ve been churning out these AVP whatever, they each cost a certain amount of money, they’re okay, but there’s no effort to elevate them or make them any kind of an event.' They’re just sort of another Predator."
"I think there’s an expansion that needs to take place," he adds. "They said, basically, if I wanted to make Predator but treat it like it was Iron Man III instead of just another little movie. I said, 'Let’s really do it right this time'.”
Turning the movie into a big, brassy blockbuster would definitely be one way to revitalise the brand. Seeing as Deadpool's proven that an R-rating isn't the dreaded kiss of death, The Predator could become something more than just a small genre movie. And with talk of Arnie's potential return? It could be a serious box office contender.
Directed by Shane Black, The Predator opens March 2, 2018.
Images: Fox
